MISSION HILLS – As the sun began to dive behind the mountains of Mission Hills in the early evening of the Alemany baseball’s CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinal game against Ayala on Friday, senior Blaine Traxel had one last at-bat to send the Warriors into more program history.

“Traxel is a bulldog,” Alemany coach Randy Thompson said. “I knew one thing for sure, he was going to put the ball in play.”

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Traxel hit a hard ground ball to third base with two outs and two runners on, but the final out came as the CSUN-commit couldn’t beat out the throw, as the Warriors fell to Ayala in a gritty 1-0 loss.

Ayala’s Joe Naranjo #6 celebrates with Ethan Rivera #12 afterNaranjo hit a solo home run in the first inning during their CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals baseball game at Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Friday May 25, 2018. Ayala defeated Alemany 1-0. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Ayala’s Joe Naranjo #6 heads for home after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during their CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals baseball game at Alemany High School in Mission Hills, Friday May 25, 2018. Ayala defeated Alemany 1-0. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

“Going into the top the seventh inning I told my team I was going to pitch a zero so we could come back and win the game in the bottom of the inning,” Traxel said. “I did that, we had a chance to win it with me at the plate…I think I got a little too pumped up, got ahead on an off-speed pitch and hit it to third.”

The only difference was a solo home run over the right field fence from Cal State Fullerton signee Joe Naranjo in the top of the first inning.

“It was a good hit, no doubt. But I left a change up hanging and a power left-handed hitter on this field will make you pay,” said Traxel.

Traxel pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and allowed seven hits.

Junior slugger Jesse Parraz provided the most notable scoring opportunities for Alemany, each coming with booming doubles to the outfield. Both innings finished with either his pinch-runner or himself stranded.

“I told the guys they had nothing to be ashamed of, I’m proud of them,” Thompson said. “Today was about inches. We had great hits, but some where straight to Ayala players or right within their reach.”

Alemany returns five of its starters next year, including Parraz, who could be a candidate for Player of the Year in the Mission League. The Warriors will lose Traxel, catcher Noah Cardenas, outfielders Jack Lipman and Dirk Ryan.

Traxel, in particular, was happy to lead his team to a historic season.

“The teams over the years haven’t been as close as this team,” Traxel said. “We accomplished a lot this season, made a little history, I’m glad it was with these guys.”